Systems and methods to communicate and control actions using light emitting diodes

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a signal of light may be emitted from an illumination source of a first transceiver. A second transceiver may detect a signal of light from the first transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity; and activate, in response to the detecting of the signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity, an illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate. An intensity of the illumination source of the first transceiver may then be reduced in response to the activating of the illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/886,229 filed Sep. 20, 2010 (pending). The entire content ofthat application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and methods of interactivecommunication. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods forefficiently communicating and controlling actions using light emittingdiodes.

BACKGROUND

A device, system, or article might include a switch that a userphysically manipulates in order to activate a function of the device,system, or article. For circumstances where such direct physicalmanipulation of a switch might not be desired, other types of switchingdevices, such as a switch having magnets, might be used. For example, atoy may include an embedded magnet in one component and a magneticswitch in a second component that is actuated by the embedded magnet.However, magnetic switches typically require mating switch parts totouch or nearly touch each other. Additionally, the types of switchesdiscussed thus far conventionally operate between two states—an openstate and a closed state. No other functionality or communicationinformation is provided by these types of switches or devices. Moreover,these types of switches and devices often do not offer aesthetic orinformative value to the user. As such, these types of switchingmechanisms offer limited application flexibility and do not provide anindication or status feedback other than the state of the switch itself(i.e., either on or off).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicants have recognized that there is a need for methods, systems,apparatus, means and computer program products to efficientlycommunicate between devices and control functions of the devices. Insome embodiments, these aspects of communication and control may beimplemented in the context of interactive play involving devices thatmay communicate with each other.

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device having thecharacteristics of being able to operate as both a light source and adetector of a light source. In general, when a light-emitting diode isforward biased (switched on), the LED releases energy in the form ofphotons of light. Furthermore, LEDs can also detect light and may beused as optical detectors. Given the dual functionality of LEDs to bothtransmit light and receive light, LEDs may be considered a transceiverof signals (e.g., light signals). As discussed herein, a LED isalternately referenced as a transceiver having an illumination source.The illumination source of the transceiver (i.e., LED) functions toprovide a light source when the transceiver is appropriately biased andalso operates to detect light shone thereupon in other modes ofoperation. Accordingly, an LED may be referred to herein interchangeablywith the term transceiver.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 in accordance with someaspects and embodiments herein. System 100 includes a transmitter 105,the transmitter including a light emitting diode (LED) 110, a powersource 115 to provide, for example, power to LED 110, and a controller120 to control, at least in part, one or more functions of transmitter105. LED 110, power source 115, and controller 120 may be connected toeach other as needed to perform the functions and methods describedherein by a wired and/or wireless system of interconnections (notshown). Controller 120 may be one or more of a processor, amicroprocessor, a logic module, and a switch(es) that may be implementedin hardware, software, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments,transmitter 105 may include a plurality of LEDs.

System 100 may also include a receiver 125. Receiver 125 includes, insome embodiments, a LED 130, a power source 135 to provide energy toreceiver 125, and a controller 140. LED 130, power source 135, andcontroller 140 may be connected to each other by a wired and/or wirelesssystem of interconnections (not shown) in order to perform certainaspects of the methods that will be described in greater detail below.In some embodiments, receiver 125 may also include a second LED 145 thatis associated with receiver 125. In some aspects, second LED 145 may belocated on or in receiver 125, but not necessarily coincident oradjacent to LED 130. Controller 140 may include one or more of aprocessor, a microprocessor, a logic module, switches, and other controlmechanisms, including hardware, software, and combinations thereof.

LEDs may function as a light source (e.g., illumination of the LED), aswell as a sensor of light (e.g., light incident upon a LED may alter theelectrical characteristics, such as the resistivity, of the LED). Thisdual functionality of LEDs may be leveraged to provide an efficientmeans and mechanism of communicating using signals of light generatedand/or detected by the LEDs and providing a control mechanism based onsignals of light sensed or detected by the LEDs. LEDs typically emit anddetect a signal of light having a narrow bandwidth. As such, LEDs may beused to generate and detect select signals of light as determined basedon the characteristics of the LEDs used.

In the example of FIG. 1, LED 110 of transmitter 105 may be powered andcontrolled to emit a signal of light, such as for example, signal 150.Likewise, a signal of light 155 may be emitted by LED 130 and/or secondLED 145. In some embodiments, transmitter 105 and receiver 125 mayinclude more, fewer, or other components than those specificallydepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 that might be performed, for example, bysome or all of the elements described herein. The flow charts describedherein do not imply a fixed order to the steps, and embodiments of thepresent invention may be practiced in any order that is practicable.Furthermore, any of the methods described herein may be performed byhardware, firmware, software, or any combinations thereof. As anexample, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructionsthereon that when executed by a machine result in performance(s)according to any of the embodiments described herein. Method 200 and allother processes mentioned herein may be embodied in processor-executableinstructions read from one or more computer-readable media or programproduct, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a flash drive, anda magnetic tape, and then stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/orencrypted format. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be usedin place of, or in combination with, instructions for implementation ofprocesses according to some embodiments. Embodiments are therefore notlimited to any specific combination of hardware and software or othercomputer program product.

At 205, a signal of light 150 is emitted from LED 110 of transmitter105. As used herein, the phrase “signal of light” may refer to anyspectrum of light generated by a LED herein, such as light in thevisible spectrum or the infrared spectrum of light. In some embodiments,the characteristics of the signal 150 generated and emitted due to anillumination of LED 110 may be determined by the electricalcharacteristics of the LED selected for implementing transmitter 105.

In some embodiments, the signal of light 150 emitted by LED 110 may beselectively modulated to further control the characteristics of theemitted signal of light. The emitted signal of light may be modulated byaltering or controlling, for example, a color of the light emitted, anintensity, a frequency, a bandwidth, a rate of state changes (e.g., arate of turning the LED on and off), and other aspects of the lightsignal emitted by LED 110.

At 210, receiver 125 detects the signal of light 150 emitted from LED110. More particularly, LED 130 of receiver 125 detects whether thesignal of light 150 is incident upon it. In the instance the signal oflight 150 is detected or sensed as shining on LED 130 of the receiver,method 200 proceeds to operation 215. Otherwise, process 200 may remainat operation 210 or in some embodiments terminate.

In some embodiments, LED 130 is “tuned” to detect a signal from LED 110(and other similar light sources) based on a compatibility of electricaland optical characteristics of LEDs 110 and 130. In this manner, signalsof light from light sources dissimilar to LED 105 may not be detected byLED 130. For example, ambient light may not be detected or sensed by LED130 since the ambient light may not have the particular characteristics(e.g., particular spectrum of light, coherence, frequency of turning offand on, etc.) of the transmitter's LED 110.

In some embodiments as illustrated by process 200, receiver LED 130operates to detect a threshold luminosity of the signal of light 150before the process proceeds to operation 215. The threshold luminositymay be determined, set, or otherwise used to set a desired sensitivityof receiver to signal of lights.

At 215, LED 130 may be illuminated in response to a detection of thesignal of light 150 that exceeds the threshold luminosity. Accordingly,LED 130 functions to both provide a source of light and detect a signalof light.

Continuing to 220, an intensity of the signal of light 150 being emittedfrom LED 110 of transmitter 105 is reduced in response to theillumination of LED 130 of the receiver. In some embodiments, LED 110blinks or alternates between an ON state (i.e., illuminating) and an OFFstate (i.e., not illuminating). During its ON state, LED 110 is in alighting mode and provides the light signal 150 that may be detected byLED 130 of receiver 125. During its OFF state, LED 110 is in a receiveor light detection mode, as is characteristic for LEDs. If a lightsignal from LED 130 of receiver 125 is detected by LED 110 while it isin light detection mode, then the intensity of the light emitted by LED110 in its subsequent ON states is reduced.

In some embodiments, LED 130 also blinks or alternates between an ONstate and an OFF state. During its ON state, LED 130 is in a lightingmode and provides the light signal 155 that may be detected by LED 110of transmitter 105. During its OFF state, LED 130 is in its lightdetection mode, as discussed in connection with operation 210. If alight signal from LED 110 of transmitter 105 is detected by LED 130while it is in light detection mode, then the intensity of the lightemitted by LED 130 in its subsequent ON states is increased.

The increase in the intensity of the receiver's LED illumination inconjunction with the transmitter's LED 110 reduction in illuminationintensity in response to the illumination of the receiver's LED 130operates to convey or indicate light from transmitter 105 is collectedor transferred to receiver 125. The outward, visible indication oftransferring light from the transmitter to the receiver is accomplishedby LED's 110 and 130 operating as both a source of light and as a lightdetector, in accordance with embodiments herein. According to method200, the communication between transmitter 105 and receiver 125 isbi-directional, as both the transmitter and the receiver may transmitand receive communicate (e.g., light) signals.

In some embodiments, the intensity of the illumination of LED 130 of thereceiver continues to increase up to a maximum as the signal of light is“collected” from LED 110 of the transmitter, and the intensity of theillumination of LED 110 of the transmitter continues to decrease down toa minimum (e.g., OFF state) as the signal of light is “transferred” fromLED 110 of the transmitter.

In some embodiments, the reduction in the illumination intensity of thetransmitter's LED 110 in response to the activation of the illuminationof the receiver's LED 130 is accomplished automatically, without otherinputs or actions.

In some embodiments also in accordance with the present disclosure,receiver 125 includes a second LED 145 that is associated with thereceiver. This second LED 145 may be located on, in, or at least nearreceiver 125 and is electrically coupled to LED 130, power source 135,and controller 140 to facilitate the operations and functions disclosedherein. In some aspects, a detection of the signal of light 150 from LED110 of transmitter 105 at operation 210 may cause second LED 145 toilluminate also or instead of LED 130. In this manner, LED 130 operatesto detect the signal of light, as well as proved a signal or triggerthat invokes an illumination of second LED 145.

In some embodiments, the intensity of the illumination of second LED 145of the receiver continues to increase up to a maximum as the signal oflight is “collected” from LED 110 of the transmitter, and the intensityof the illumination of LED 110 of the transmitter continues to decreasedown to a minimum (e.g., OFF state) as the signal of light is“transferred” from LED 110 of the transmitter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system 300 in accordance with someaspects and embodiments herein. System 300 includes a transmitter 305,where the transmitter includes a LED 310, a power source 315 to providepower to LED 310, and a controller 320 to control, at least in part, oneor more functions of transmitter 305. LED 310, power source 315, andcontroller 320 may be connected to each other as needed to perform thefunctions and methods disclosed herein. Controller 320 may be one ormore of a processor, a microprocessor, a logic module, and a switch(es)that may be implemented in hardware, software, and combinations thereof.In some embodiments, transmitter 305 may include a plurality of LEDs.

System 300 further includes a receiver 325. Receiver 325 includes a LED330 and electrical contacts or other means or mechanisms (e.g., wired orwireless) for coupling or connecting the receiver to a base or main unit340. Base unit 340 includes electrical contacts or other means ormechanisms (e.g., wired or wireless) for coupling, connecting, orotherwise interfacing the base unit to receiver 325, a power source 350to provide energy to base unit 340 and receiver 325. Base unit 340further includes a controller 355 that provides processing and controlfunctionality to base unit 340 and receiver 325 when coupled to the baseunit, and to a functionality module 360.

Functionality module 360 may include mechanisms for initiating,activating, or invoking one or more functions, including, for example, aprocessing function of various inputs and signals thereto, a playback orgeneration of an audio file (e.g., scripted responses, music fileplayback, voice messages), activation, initiation, and execution ofother functions including mechanical, electrical, hardware, and softwareaspects, as well as combinations thereof.

The various components of base unit 340, including activation contacts345, power source 350, controller 355, functionality module 360, and LED330 when coupled to the receiver may be connected to each other by awired and/or wireless system of interconnections (not shown) tofacilitate certain aspects of the methods described herein.

The LEDs depicted in FIG. 3, in a manner similar to the LEDs discussedwith regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, may also exhibit the dual functionality ofbeing a light source, as well as being a sensor of a signal (e.g., alight incident upon the LED that is operable to alter the electricalcharacteristics of the LED).

In the example of FIG. 3, LED 310 of transmitter 305 may be powered andcontrolled to emit a signal of light, such as for example, signal 365.Likewise, a signal of light 370 may be emitted by LED 330 or anotherlight source. In some embodiments, the other light source may comprisefunctionality module 360. In some embodiments, system 300 may includemore, fewer, or other components than those specifically depicted inFIG. 3, including for example modifications of transmitter 305, receiver325, and base unit 340.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 that might be performed, for example, bysome or all of the elements described herein including the elements ofFIG. 3. At 405, receiver 325 is coupled, interfaced with, or otherwiseplaced in electrical communication with base unit 340. The coupling ofreceiver 325 and base unit 340 may be accomplished by the use of matingcontact points, devices, and systems.

At 410, a signal of light 365 is emitted from LED 310 of transmitter305. In some embodiments, the characteristics of the signal of light 365generated and emitted due to an illumination of LED 310 may bedetermined by the electrical characteristics of the LED selected forimplementing transmitter 305.

It is noted that in some embodiments, the signal of light 365 emitted byLED 310 may be selectively modulated to further control thecharacteristics of the signal, just as other signals generated by otherLEDs herein may be modulated. The emitted signal of light may bemodulated by altering or controlling, for example, a color of the lightemitted, an intensity, a frequency, a bandwidth, a rate of state changes(e.g., a rate of turning the LED on and off), and other aspects of thelight signal emitted by LED 310.

At 415, receiver 325 that is coupled to base unit 340 detects the signalof light 365 emitted from LED 310. In some aspects, LED 330 of receiver325 detects whether the signal of light 365 is incident upon LED 330. Inthe instance the signal of light 365 is detected or sensed as shining onLED 330 of the receiver, method 400 flows to operation 420. Otherwise,process 400 may remain at operation 415 or in some embodimentsterminate.

In some embodiments, LED 330 is “tuned” to or otherwise selectivelydetects a signal from LED 310 (and other similar light sources) based ona compatibility of electrical and optical characteristics of LEDs 310and 330. Accordingly, receiver 325 may effectively filter unwantedsignals of light from incompatible and/or undesired light sources.

As further illustrated by method 400, receiver LED 330 operates todetect a threshold luminosity of the signal of light 365 at 415 beforethe process proceeds to operation 420. The threshold luminosity may bedetermined, set, or otherwise used to establish a desired sensitivity ofreceiver 325 to a signal of light.

Continuing at 420, LED 330 may be illuminated in response to a detectionof the signal of light 365 that exceeds the threshold luminosity. Thus,LED 330 may function to provide both a source of light and detect asignal of light.

At 425, an intensity of the signal of light 365 being emitted from LED310 of transmitter 305 may be reduced in response to the illumination ofLED 330 of the receiver. In some embodiments, LED 310 blinks oralternates between an ON state and an OFF state. During its ON state,LED 310 is in a lighting mode and provides the light signal 365 that maybe detected by LED 330 of receiver 325. During its OFF state, LED 310 isin a receive or light detection mode. In an instance a light signal fromLED 330 of receiver 325 is detected by LED 310 while LED 310 is in lightdetection mode, then the intensity of the light emitted by LED 310 inits subsequent ON states is reduced.

In some embodiments, and in an instance a light signal from LED 310 oftransmitter 305 is detected by LED 330 while LED 330 is in lightdetection mode, then the intensity of the light emitted by LED 330 inits subsequent ON states is increased.

The increase in the intensity of the receiver's LED 330 illumination inconjunction with the transmitter's LED 310 reduction in illuminationintensity in response to the illumination of the receiver's LED 330 mayoperate to convey or indicate light from transmitter 305 is collected ortransferred to receiver 325. This outward, visible and perceptibleindication of transferring light from the transmitter to the receiver isaccomplished by LED's 310 and 330 operating as both a source of lightand as a light detector, in accordance with embodiments herein.

In some embodiments, the intensity of the illumination of LED 330 of thereceiver continues to increase up to a maximum as the signal of light is“collected” from LED 310 of the transmitter, and the intensity of theillumination of LED 310 of the transmitter continues to decrease down toa minimum (e.g., OFF state) as the signal of light is “transferred” fromLED 310 of the transmitter.

In some embodiments, the reduction in the illumination intensity of thetransmitter's LED 310 in response to the activation of the illuminationof the receiver's LED 330 is accomplished automatically, without otherinputs or actions.

In some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 3, base unit 340 includes afunctionality module 360. Functionality module 360 may be located on,in, or at least near base unit 340 and may be electrically coupled toone or more of controller 355, power source 350 and electrical contacts345 that interface with electrical contacts 335 of the receiver. In someaspects, a detection of the signal of light 365 from LED 310 oftransmitter 305 at operation 415 may cause an aspect of functionalitymodule 360 to also activate with LED 330. In this manner, LED 330 mayoperate to detect the signal of light and provide a source of light, aswell as provide a signal or trigger that invokes a functionality offunctionality module 360 associated with base unit 340.

In some embodiments, one or more receivers 325 may be interfaced with orcoupled to main unit 340. In some aspects, the one or more receivers 325may share a common configuration with respect to the electrical contacts335 such that the one or more receivers may be selectively interchangedto interface with base unit 340.

In some aspects, the controllers herein may be in communication with orinclude a storage device (not shown). The storage device may compriseany appropriate information storage device, including combinations ofmagnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives), optical storagedevices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random AccessMemory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.

The storage device may store program instructions and code forcontrolling aspects of any of the methods and systems herein. Thecontroller may execute the instructions or code to thus operate inaccordance embodiments of the present disclosure.

Some embodiments described herein utilize capabilities of the dualfunctionality of LEDs to provide a source of light and detect a signalof light. The transmitters, receivers, and base units disclosed hereinmay be implemented and embodied in a variety of devices, systems, andconfigurations. In some instances, the transmitters, receivers, and baseunits herein data may be embodied in or with a variety of interactivetoy and play pieces to provide an enhanced entertainment experience. Avariety of device configurations may be employed to provide a wide rangeof interactive contexts and/or experiences.

For example, in some embodiments such as FIG. 5, a system 500 mayinclude a transmitter comprising a “magic” wand 505, a receiver mayinclude a jewelry accessory 525, and a base unit may include a doll 535.It is noted that each of the components of system 500 may be embodied orconfigured as other objects, depending on a context or environment. Assuch, and in keeping with the interactive play example of FIG. 5 but notlimited thereto, any of the components of FIG. 5 may include variousplay pieces. For example, components of FIG. 5 may include an actionfigure, a play structure, a toy vehicle (e.g., walk behind, ride-on,hand held, etc.), a board or card game component, and any type ofplayscape component.

The “magic” wand 505 (i.e., transmitter) includes a LED 510, a powersource 515 to provide power to LED 510, and a controller 520 to control,in some aspects, one or more functions of the “magic” wand 505. LED 510,power source 515, and controller 520 may be in communication with eachother to perform the functions and methods disclosed herein. Controller520, as well as the other controllers herein, may be one or more of aprocessor, a microprocessor, a logic module, and a switch(es), and mayfurther include a memory module (e.g., ROM or RAM). In some embodiments,the “magic” wand 505 may include more than one LED.

System 500 further includes a receiver in the form of a jewelryaccessory 525. The jewelry accessory 525 includes a LED 530 andelectrical contacts or other means or mechanisms (e.g., wired orwireless) for coupling or connecting the jewelry accessory to the dollor base unit 535. Doll 535 includes a number of electrical contacts orother means or mechanisms 540, 544, 545, 546, and 548 for coupling,connecting, or otherwise interfacing the doll with jewelry accessory 525and/or any other add-on accessory. In some embodiments, add-onaccessories my include a tiara, a necklace, a bracelet, earrings,articles of clothing, sports equipment, tools, and other devices. Doll535 further includes a power source 550 to provide energy to the dolland jewelry accessory 525 (e.g., LED 530). Doll 535 also includes acontroller 555 that provides processing and control functionality todoll 535 and jewelry accessory 525 when it is coupled to the doll.

Doll 535 also includes a functionality module 560. Functionality module560 may include mechanisms for initiating, activating, or invoking oneor more functions, including, for example, processing various inputs andsignals thereto, providing a playback of an audio file (e.g., scriptedmessages, music files, etc.), and an activation, initiation, andexecution of other functions including mechanical, electrical, hardware,and software aspects, as well as combinations thereof.

LEDs of system 500 may behave in a manner consistent in some aspects tothe LEDs discussed hereinabove regarding FIGS. 1-4. For example, LEDs510 and 530 may also exhibit the dual functionality of being a lightsource, as well as being a sensor of a signal and provider of a triggersignal to, for example, control actions other than the LEDs.

In the example of FIG. 5, LED 510 of the “magic” wand 505 may be poweredand controlled to emit a signal of light 565. Also, jewelry accessory525 is coupled to or otherwise placed in electrical communication withdoll 535. The coupling of jewelry accessory 525 and doll 535 may beaccomplished by the use of mating electrical contact points, devices,and systems.

In accordance with aspects herein, a signal of light 565 is emitted fromLED 510 of the “magic” wand 505. Jewelry accessory 525 that is coupledto doll 535 detects the signal of light 565 emitted from LED 510. Insome embodiments, LED 530 of jewelry accessory 525 operates to detect athreshold luminosity of the signal of light 565.

In response to a detection of the signal of light 565 by the jewelryaccessory's LED 530, LED 530 is illuminated to emit signal 570.Additionally, a signal or trigger is forwarded from LED 530 tocontroller 555. Controller 555 may then act to initiate or activate afunctionality of the doll as implemented by functionality module 560.Thus, LED 530 functions to provide both a source of light and to detecta signal and provide an indication of that signal detection foractivating or triggering a function of doll 535.

In some embodiments, an intensity of the signal of light 565 beingemitted from LED 510 of transmitter 505 may be reduced in response tothe illumination of LED 530 of jewelry accessory 525. The increase inthe intensity of the jewelry accessory's LED illumination in conjunctionwith the “magic” wand's LED 510 reduction in illumination intensity mayoperate to communicate, convey or indicate that light from “magic” wand505 is collected or transferred to jewelry accessory 525. This visibleand perceptible indication of transferring light from the “magic” wandto the jewelry accessory is accomplished by LED's 510 and 530 operatingas both a source of light and as a light detector, in accordance withembodiments herein. The “collection” of light in the manner disclosedherein may be utilized to enhance an interactive play experience.

In some embodiments, and in a context of interactive play, an item suchas jewelry accessory 525 may be rewarded, obtained, captured, orotherwise collected by a user after the user interacts with the playpiece to illuminate or light up the play piece. In some aspects, a usermay interact with one or more play pieces including a transmitter, areceiver, and a base unit in accordance with embodiments herein with anobjective of illuminating the play pieces and collecting the illuminatedplay pieces as rewards.

The present invention has been described in terms of several embodimentssolely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art willrecognize from this description that the invention is not limited to theembodiments described, but may be practiced with modifications andalterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: emitting a modulated signalof light from an illumination source of a first transceiver, themodulated signal of light having a first characteristic; detecting, by asecond transceiver, a modulated signal of light having the firstcharacteristic from the first transceiver that exceeds a thresholdluminosity; and activating, in response to the detecting of themodulated signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity, anillumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said modulated signal of light is associatedwith controlling at least one of: (i) a color of the light emitted, (ii)an intensity of the light emitted, (iii) a frequency of the lightemitted, (iv) a signal bandwidth, and (v) a rate of state changes. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising electrically coupling thesecond transceiver to a base unit, wherein the base unit provides atleast one of power and control processing to the second transceiver. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the base unit comprises at least one of:a doll, a toy animal, a construction set, a puzzle, an action figure, aplay structure, a toy vehicle, a board game component, and a playscapecomponent.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the activating includesinvoking a functionality of the base unit in response to the detectingof the modulated signal of light having the first characteristic fromthe first transceiver that exceeds the threshold luminosity.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the functionality of the base unit comprisesat least one of an electrical action, a mechanical action, an auditoryaction, a visual action, and a combination thereof.
 7. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the activating includes invoking a functionality of thebase unit.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting thesecond transceiver subsequent to an activating of the illuminationsource of the second transceiver to illuminate.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the second transceiver further comprises more than onetransceiver.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising activating,in response to the second transceiver detecting the modulated signal oflight having the first characteristic and exceeding the thresholdluminosity, an illumination source of the more than one transceivers ofthe second transceiver to illuminate.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: detecting, by the first transceiver, light illuminated fromthe second transceiver; and reducing an intensity of the illuminationsource of the first transceiver in response to the detecting of thelight illuminated from the illumination source of the second transceiverby the illumination source of the first transceiver.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second transceiver comprises a plurality oftransceivers each functional to detect the modulated signal of lighthaving the first characteristic from the first transceiver that exceedsa threshold luminosity, and activating, in response to the detecting ofthe signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity by theplurality of second transceivers, the illumination source of each of theplurality of second transceivers to illuminate.
 13. A system,comprising: a first transceiver having an illumination source to emit amodulated signal of light having a first characteristic and to reduce anintensity of the signal of light emitted from the illumination source ofthe first transceiver in response to a detection of a light signalthereon; and a second transceiver to detect a modulated signal of lighthaving the first characteristic from the illumination source of thefirst transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity and to activate,in response to a detection of the modulated signal of light having thefirst characteristic from the illumination source of the firsttransceiver that exceeds the threshold luminosity, an illuminationsource of the second transceiver to illuminate.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein said modulated signal of light is associated withcontrolling at least one of: (i) a color of the light emitted, (ii) anintensity of the light emitted, (iii) a frequency of the light emitted,(iv) a signal bandwidth, and (v) a rate of state changes.
 15. The systemof claim 13, further comprising a base unit to electrically couple tothe second transceiver, the base unit to provide at least one of powerand control processing to the second transceiver.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the base unit comprises at least one of: a doll, a toyanimal, a construction set, a puzzle, an action figure, a playstructure, a play vehicle, a board game component, and a playscapecomponent.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the activating includesinvoking a functionality of the base unit.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the functionality of the base unit comprises at least one of anelectrical action, a mechanical action, an auditory action, a visualaction, and a combination thereof.
 19. The system of claim 13, whereinthe illumination source of the second transceiver is located on, in, orcoupled to the second transceiver.
 20. The system of claim 13, whereinthe second transceiver is removably attached to the base unit.
 21. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the second transceiver further comprisesmore than one transceiver.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the morethan one transceivers of the second transceiver is activated toilluminate in response to the more than one transceivers detecting themodulated signal of light having the first characteristic and exceedingthe threshold luminosity.
 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the secondtransceiver comprises a plurality of transceivers each functional todetect the modulated signal of light having the first characteristicfrom the first transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity; and toactivate, in response to a detection of the signal of light that exceedsthe threshold luminosity by the plurality of transceivers, anillumination source of each of the plurality of transceivers toilluminate.